Perú to double number of C-27Js Mi-17s

Peru intends to acquire a range of new fixed- and rotary-wing transport aircraft across its armed forces, in part to bolster the country’s resources to cope with humanitarian relief operations.
The South American country’s shopping list includes additional Leonardo C-27J battlefield transports, heavy transport aircraft – including for in-flight refuelling – more Viking Aircraft DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otters, plus a substantial number of Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
Peru’s air force already operates four C-27Js and, will buy another two before the end of 2020, with six more to follow over the next three years. In addition, the Peruvian army is considering the twin-turboprop to replace a fleet of three Antonov An-32Bs, all of which are approaching 30 years old.
Peru already operates a substantial fleet of Mi-8/17-series helicopters across the three branches of its armed forces, as well as the country’s national police, and will stick with the Russian-built rotorcraft for future purchases to maintain commonality.
flightglobal

Covid-19: ILA Berlin Airshow cancelled

This year’s ILA Berlin Airshow was cancelled on 18 March as a result of the increasing spread of the coronavirus, the organisers announced.
The event, held every two years at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport in the outskirts of the German capital, was due to go ahead from 13 to 17 May.
Gareth Jennings-janes

PRODUCTION OF US MILITARY PLANES KEEPS ON DESPITE COVID 19

The Pentagon has started a daily dialogue with its top vendors as it attempts to measure and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the defense industry. Meanwhile, Boeing and Lockheed Martin said production on major acquisition systems like the KC-46 tanker and F-35 strike fighter will continue.
Boeing has directed all staff who can telecommute during the pandemic to do so; however, production and fabrication on the KC-46, F-15, F/A-18, and T-7 continue, with enhanced hygiene on the production line.
Similarly, production of the F-35 will continue despite temporary line stoppages in Italy and Japan, and the Pentagon is staying in regular contact with its top vendors.
Italy’s F-35 Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO) facility closed March 16 and 17 for a “deep cleaning,” according to a source familiar with the program, but production of parts and other line activities will resume on March 18. Japan’s F-35 FACO in Nagoya also was closed March 9-13, but is back up and running again, sources said. One reported that Nagoya, run by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was already well ahead of its production goals so there should be “no impact” from the temporary stand-down.
Lockheed is not anticipating “any significant impact on the supply chain” from its worldwide vendors, according to a source familiar with the program.
airforcemag

Ejercito del Aire Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons from Ala 14 Ala 11 at Red Flag 2020-2 Nellis AB

SPAIN: NO, "MILITARY HELICOPTERS" AREN NOT GOING TO FAUMIGATE ALL TOWNS IN MÁLAGA: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND MALAGA COUNTY COUNCIL DENY IT

Amid the current coronavirus outbreak in Spain, many Maldita.es readers have enquired about an alleged statement signed by the Spanish Government, the Spanish Air Force, Andalucía's regional government and Malaga County Council that claims "military helicopters" are going to fumigate all towns in Málaga on March 14 at 23:00 due to COVID-19. However, the Ministry of Defence and the County Council have both denied that is going to happen.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence told Maldita.es that they are not going to fumigate Málaga or any other Spanish town,
malditobulo

Boeing starts ‘Air Force One’ modifications of 747-8

Boeing has begun modifications to the first of two commercial 747-8 airliners which are to be turned into US Air Force (USAF) VC-25B aircraft.
Known by its “Air Force One” call sign when the US president flies aboard, two VC-25B are to operate as the USA’s top executive transports for the next 30 years. Modifications are being done at Boeing’s San Antonio, Texas facility, says the USAF.
“The first phase of aircraft modification involves cutting out large skin and structure areas in both the forward and aft lower lobes of the aircraft and then installing two newly manufactured superpanels,” says the service. “The superpanels contain structural upgrades and cutouts for the VC-25B lower lobe doors, including internal airstairs for mission requirements.”
The USAF is working to replace its current fleet of presidential aircraft, two 747-200-based VC-25A aircraft delivered in 1991, with two 747-8s originally built for Russian carrier Transaero, which filed for bankruptcy in 2015 before it could take delivery. The commercial airliners need extensive retrofits to be transformed into the VC-25B configuration.
flightglobal

Germany withdraws Tornados from Jordan, deploys radar system in Iraq

In its capacity as a member of the international coalition against Daesh, Germany will withdraw its Tornado reconnaissance aircraft in Jordan and instead install a radar system for air defense in western Iraq.
The jets have until recently been used against Daesh across Syria and Iraq; however, the German Council of Ministers has since adopted amendments that envision changes in the mandate of 700 soldiers serving within the framework of the international coalition.
The country's Tornado reconnaissance jets in Jordan are scheduled to be withdrawn at the end of the month. However, in order for the Tornado jets to retreat, another country must be able to take over reconnaissance flights, according to the plan adopted by the Council of Ministers.
dailysabah

US extends carrier strike group Middle East mission, sends Patriot missile defense system to Iraq

The U.S. military extended the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East and has begun moving Patriot air defense missile systems into Iraq after an attack blamed on a Hashd al-Shaabi militia.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved his request to extend the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which has been in CENTCOM’s area of operations since December. “We’re gonna keep them for a while,” McKenzie said, declining to specify how long.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier joined the USS Truman and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the CENTCOM area of operations earlier this month.
Typically only one carrier strike group operates in CENTCOM’s area of responsibility, and keeping the Truman in theater marks the first period of extended dual U.S. carrier operations in the region since April 2012.
thedefensepost